Kyoto Colors - Autumn Colors

Jingoji Romon Gate

Nestled into the hillside of Mount Takao in north-west Kyoto, Jingoji is a large but rather quiet Shingon Buddhist temple. It becomes really lively, however, during the autumn foliage viewing season. The temple was established in its current form in the year 824 and received its name, which means “temple for divine protection of the country.” This occurred several decades after the establishment of Kyoto as the new capital of the country.

To get to this main gate of the temple, one must walk down a long set of stone steps to the Kiyotaki River valley, cross a short bridge, and then walk up some 400 more steps.